Grapple.



A. J. BATES.

GRAPPLE.-

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, i915.

4, 1917. 2 SHEETS-SHEET' l.

. atented 'July 2 A. J. BATES.

GHAPPLE. APPLICATION FILED 1350.22. 19m.

Patented July 24, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHET 2.

PMU

.ALBERT J'. BATES, `OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 BATES EXPANDED STEEL TRUSS CO., OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF IDEIAW'ARE.ti

GRAPPLE.

inattesa.

Application filed December 22, 1915.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. BATES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grapples, of which the f trolled by the operator from a distance.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be `apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof in which- Figure 1 is an end elevation of the grapple with the controlling rod in section and with the dogs in gripping position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the grapple;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; y

Fig. 1 is an end elevation similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the dogs in released position;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of one pair of gripping members;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of one of the actuating levers for the gripping members, and

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of the supporting frame.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a frame of metal adapted to be disposed between the opposite flanges 2 of a metallic structural member, the frame being provided with rollers 3 journaled therein to engage the web 4i of the structural member. On either side ofthe member 1 integral lugs 5 are formed and integral lugs 6 on the upper side thereof provide bearings for the rod 7 provided with flattened faces 8 and an operating handle 9, whereby the rod 7 may be rotated for a purpose presently to be described. J

Trunnions 9 extend from either end of the.k frame 1 and upon each of the trunnions 9` a pair of gripping members 10 arepivotally mounted. Each of the gripping members i0 is provided with e .des `ll 'Ofterd- Specication of Letters Patent.

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Serial No. 68,146.

ened steel, the dogs 1l projecting in opposite directions from the contiguous members 10 of each pair and being adjustably secured in position by the bolts 12. The gripping members 10 are provided with outstanding arms 13 provided with openings adapted to receive the trunnions 14 formed integrally with the levers 15 which thus operatively engage one of each pair of gripping members 10 at opposite ends of the frame 1. 'Ihe levers 15 are provided with lugs 16 adapted to engage and fulcrum on the lugs 5 of the frame 1.

The levers 15 are slotted at 17 and provided on their outer faces adjacent the slots 17 with bearings 18 adapted to receive the pintles 19 which are held in position by plates 2O secured by bolts 21. Pivotally mounted on the pintles 19 are links 22 pivotally connected at their free ends by a pintle 23. A roller 24- is rotatably mounted on the pintle 23 and is engaged by the cable 25 of vthe hoist.

The gripping members 10 are provided with upstanding lugs 26 at their upper cooperate with the rod 7 and, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 4i, when the rod 7 is rotated so that the flattened faces 8 thereon cooperate with the fiat faces 27 the gripping members 10 may move to gripping position with the dogs 11 in engagement with the fianges 2 of the structural member (Fig. l). I/Vhen, however, the rod 7 is turned so that the rounded portion thereof engages the flat faces 27 the gripping members 10 are locked against movement to gripping position (Fig. i).

The mode of operation of my invention will be apparent from the foregoing without further description thereof. When it is desired to lift a structural member the rod 7 is rotated to loclr the gripping memextremities having fiat faces 27 adapted to bers 10 inV non-gripping position and the f directions flanges 2. struc-tural with sufficient tenacity to prevent slipping and the structural member may be safely transported. `When the structural member has been placed in the Mdesired position the tension on the cable is released and the weight of the klevers l5 causes the toggle, consisting` of the links 22, to straighten, forcing the dogs ll from engagement With the anges 2 whereupon the rod T may be rotated to lock kthe gripping members l0 in non-gripping position and the grapple may be raised from engagement with the structural member.

It Will be readily understood that l hav perfected a grapple for handling metallic structural members which is extremely simple in construction, easily operatedfrom a distance throughthe rod 7 and which comprises a minimum number of simple parts none. of which are of such a nature as to be readily injured by the rough treatment to which such devices are normally subjected. It Will be obvious that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention -or sacrilicingany of its material ad-y vantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1.In a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame, means pivotally mountedthereon and adapted to be forced into engagement with the `opposite flanges of a structural member, and actuating means loosely engaging and fulcrumed on said frame and pivotally connected to the flange-engaging means. L. ln a grapple, the combination of a rigid one-piece frame, means pivotally mounted thereon and adapted to be forced into engagement With thek opposite flanges of a structural member, and actuating means loosely engaging and fulcrumed on said frame and pivot-ally connected to said flangeengaging means. y3. In a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame, gripping mean-s pivotally mounted thereon, means including levers loosely engaging and fulcrumed on said frame and pivot-ally connected to said gripping means for forcing the latter means-into engagement with the opposite flanges of a structural member, and a toggle connecting said levers.

4. In a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame adapted to be disposed between the opposite flanges of a structural member, rollers mounted on said frame and projecting therefrom to engage the web of said member, gripping means pivotally mounted on said frame, and means for automatically so that the dogs y11 engage the.y

forcing said gripping means into engagement with said flanges when alifting force is exerted on said grapple. y

5. ln a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame, a pair of oppositely directed gripping members provided With adjustable dogs, mounted on said frame at each end thereof, means including levers loosely engaging and fulcrumed on said frame and pivotally connected to said gripping members for actuating the latter members to force said dogs .into engagement with the flanges of a structural member, and a toggle connecting said levers. n

, `6. ln a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame, a pair of oppositely directed gripping members pivotally mounted on said frame at each end thereof and provided With dogs, and means for actuating the gripping members of each pair to-move'in opposite directions, thereby forcing the dogs into engagement with .the flanges of a structural member, including levers loosely engaging and fulcrumed on said frame and pivotally connected to said gripping members.

7. ln a. grapple, the combination of afrigid frame, a pair of gripping members pivotally mounted on said frame at each'end thereof and provided with oppositely directed adjustable dogs, means including levers loosely engaging andV fulcrumed on said frame and pivot-ally connected to said gripping members, and a toggle connecting said levers for actuating the. gripping members of each pair to movein opposite directions, thereby forcing said'dogs into engagen'ient ivitli the .flanges `of a structural rmember, and means for adjusting said dogs for variation in the spacing ybetweenthe ifi-anges.

8. In a grapple, the combination of a frame adaptedto be disposed between the opposite flanges 'of a structural men'iber, rollers on said frame to engage the web of said member, ar pair of gripping members, provided with dogs, pivotally mounted on said frame at each end thereof, and means f for actuating the grippingr members of each pair yto move in opposite Ldirections to force said dogs into engagement With the flanges of said structural member.

` 9. In a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame, means thereon adapted to be forced into engagement with the opposite flanges ofa structural member When a lifting force is exerted on said grapple including gripping members, levers loosely engaging and fulcrumed on said frame and pivot'- al'ly connected to said gripping members, and mea-ns for locking said first-mentioned' means to prevent actuation thereof.

10. ln a grapple, the combination of a frame, means thereon adapted to be forced 'into engagement With the opposite flanges of a structural member when a lifting force is exerted on said grapple, a rotatable cam.

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disposed in operative engagement with the flange-engaging means, and a rod connected to said cam whereby the latter may be rotated from a distance to prevent actuation of said flange-engaging means.

11. In a grapple, the combination of a rigid frame adapted to be disposed between the opposite fianges of a structural member, a pair of gripping members pivotally mounted on said frame at each end thereof, a gripping do@l on each of said gripping members, the dogs on the respective pairs of gripping members being oppositely directed, actuating levers loosely engaging and fulcrumed on opposite sides of said frame, each of said levers being pivotally connected to one of each pair of gripping members, and means whereby said levers are actuated when a lifting force is exerted on said gra-pple te cause said dogs to engage the flanges of said structural member.

12. In a grapple, the combination of a frame adapted to be disposed between the opposite flanges of a structural member, lugs on opposite sides of said frame, a pair of gripping members, provided with dogs, pivotally mounted on said frame at each end thereof, actuating levers, each pivotally connected to one of each pair of gripping members and having lugs to engage and fulcrum on the lugs on said frame, a toggle consisting of links connecting said levers, and means to exert a force on said toggle whereby said levers are actuated to cause said dogs to engage the fianges of said structural member.

13. In a grapple, the combination of a frame adapted to be disposed between the opposite flanges of a structural member, lugs on opposite sides of said frame, a pair of gripping members, provided with dogs, pivotally mounted on said frame at each end thereof, means for adjusting said dogs for variation of the spacing between said Copies of this patent may be obtained for flanges, actuating levers, each pivotally connected to one of each pair of gripping members and having lugs to engage and fulcrum on the lugs on said frame, a toggle consisting of links connecting said levers, andmeans to exert a force on said toggle whereby said levers are actuated to cause said dogs to engage the flange of said structural member.

14. In a grapple, the combination of a frame, adapted to be disposed between the opposite flanges of a structural member, rollers on said frame to engage the web of said member, lugs on opposite sides of said frame, a pair of gripping members, provided with dogs, pivotally mounted on said frame at each end thereof, actuating levers, each pivotally connected to one of each pair of gripping members and having lugs to engage and fulcrum on the lugs on said frame, a toggle consisting of links connecting said levers, and means to exert a force on said toggle whereby said levers are actuated to cause said dogs to engage the flanges of said structural member.

15. In a grapple, the combination of a frame, adapted to be disposed between the opposite flanges of a structural member, lugs on opposite sides of said frame, a pair of gripping members, provided with dogs, pivotally mounted en said frame at each end thereof, actuating levers, each pivotally connected to one of each pair of gripping members and having lugs to engage and fulcrum on the lugs on said frame, a toggle consisting of links connecting said levers, means to exert a force on said toggle whereby said levers are actuated to cause said dogs to engage the flanges of said structural member, and means for locking said gripping members to prevent actuation thereof.

ALBERT J. BATES.

Witness:

M. A. KIDDLE.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

